Street-railway switch.



No. 741,097. jPATBNTBDOGT. 13, 1903.

W. J. BELL. I STREET RAILWAY' SWITCH.

v APPLICATION PILEDAUG. 6. 1902.

N0 MODEL.

we uowmsyrrms cc. Phoroumn.. WASHING-rou, Dx..

WALTER J.

Patented October 13, 1963.

PATENT OEEICE.

BELL, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OEONE-HALF TO LEON F. MOSS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

STREET-RAILWAY swlTcH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 741,097, dated October 13, 1903.

Application iled August 5, 1902. Serial No. 118,460. (No model.)

To all whom, t nfl/ay concer/'n.-

Be it known that LWALTER J. BELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Street-Railway-- Switches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to railway-switches, and contemplates an improved switching mechanism adapted for use more especially in connection with electric railways,inasm uch as the movement ot the switch-tongue is preferably controlled by electrical means.

The invention in its broadest sense consists of fluid-actuated means for moving the switchtongue and electrically-controlled means effecting variations in the iuid-pressure,\vhere by the uid means is rendered active or inactive, dependent upon whether the switch is to be opened or closed.

The details of the invention will be yreadily c omprehended, reference being had to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawing, illustrating by a plan View, partly in section, a switching mecham ism embodying the invention in its preferred form, it being understood that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as dened by the claims.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, 1 designates one of the main-track rails, and 2 is one of the branch-track rails.

3 is the switch-tongue, and 4 the switchthrowing rail, which is pivoted at 5 and has its free end normally in contact with the main rail, and is thus in position to be moved' by the wheelsanges of the car.

6 denotes a duid-tight casing having at one end a cylindrical chamber 7, in which is a piston 8. The piston extends through an opening in the casing-wall, at which is provided a stuffing-box 9and its outer end is connected by a pin 10 with the rail 4. In the opposite end of the casing is a cylindrical chamber 11, vin which is a piston 12, having a reduced stem 12', extending through an opening in the casing-wall, at which is a studing-box 13, and connected by a pin 14 with is thrown.

the switch tongue 3. The piston S is normally pressed outwardly by a coiled spring 15 bearing againstits face, and the piston 12 is normally pressed inwardly to hold the switch 5 5 closed by a spring 16, coiled around the s tem 12. Y

17 is a passage affording communication between the chambers. Leading from the passage toa receptacle 18 is a branch passage 6o 19, in which is a valve-seat 2O for a valve 2l. The valve-stem 22 extends through the passage-wall, at which is a stuffing-box 23, and carries at its end an armature 24. A retractable spring 25, coiled around the stem, operates to normally unseat the valve, and thus open the branch passage.

v The armature is in line with'the pole-piece of an electromaguet 26, which is energized by closing an electric circuit on the car. -As a 7o car which is to continue on the main track approaches the switch the flanges of its wheels move the rail a to the right, and with it the pistonS. The chambers, passage, and branch passage are filled with a duid-as, for instance, glycerin, oil, or the like-and the movement of the piston forces the Huid into the receptacle 18, thereby depriving the fluid of pressure sufficient to move the piston 12 and throw the switch-tongue. When the car has passed the 8o rail, the spring 15 restores the piston and rail to their normal positions, and the fluid which has entered the receptacle empties therefrom into the branch passage, passage, and chambers, the receptacle being elevated in the casing a sufficient height for the purpose. If the car is to take the branch track, the circuit is closed by the operator, and the energized magnet attracts and moves the armature and seats the valve, thereby closing the branch 9o passage. Movement of the rail 11 under these conditions eiects the movement of the switchtongue to open the branch track. The Iluid having no outlet transmits motion from piston S to piston l2 upon the movement of the 95 former, and this occurs as often as the rail The piston 12 and switch-tongue are retractedl bythe spring 16. 7

I claim as my invention;- 'Y j 1. In a switching mechanism, a switchroo tongue, an element arranged to be mechanically moved by the-car, iluid-actuating means between the element and tongue, and electrically-controlled means effecting variations in the fluid-pressure.

2. In a switching mechanism, a switchtongue, an element arranged to be mechanically moved by the car, fluid actuating means between the element and tongue, and electrically controlled means including a valve effecting variation in the fluid pressure.

3. In a switching mechanism, fluid-actuating 4means including a fluid body of fixed quantity for moving the switch-tongue, and electrically-controlled means effecting variations in the fluid-pressure.

4. In a switching mechanism, fluid-actuating means including a fluid body of fixed quantity for moving the switch-tongue, and an electrically-controlled valve effecting variations in the fluid-pressure.

5. In a switching mechanism, `a switchtongue, an element arranged to be moved by the car, a piston carried by the element, a piston carried by the tongue, a fluid body between the pistons, and electrically-controlled means effecting variations in the pressure of said fluid body.

6. In a switching mechanism, a switchtongue, an element arranged to be moved by 1 the car, a piston carried by the'element, a piston carried by the tongue, a fluid body between the pistons, and electrically-controlled means including a valve effecting variations in the pressure of said fluid body.

7. In ,a switching mechanism, a switchtongue, a spring-retracted piston connected with the tongue, a switch-throwing rail arranged to be moved by the car, a spring-retracted piston connected with the rail, a fluid body between the pistons, a branch passage for said fluid body, a valve at said passage, and electrical means for moving the valve.

8. In a switching mechanism, a switchtongue, a spring-retracted piston connected with the tongue, a switch-throwing rail arranged to be moved by the car, a spring-retracted piston connected with the rail, a iluid body between the pistons, a branch passage for said fluid body, a spring-retracted valve y in said passage carrying an armature, and an electromagnet arranged to seat the valve.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WALTER J. BELL.

Witnesses:

LEON F. Moss, I-IENRIETTA L. SHEPsToN. 

